First thing is first. We have an updated Crookston High School Spring sports schedule. We think we have everything correct. We update it as we have our daily conversation with Activities Director Greg Garmen (who it happy as a kid in a candy store that he is retiring this summer!!). The link to the schedules is below –
https://kroxam.com/sports-2/pirate-spring-sports-schedules-2/
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We start this week’s column with a lowlight than a highlight. Enjoy this week’s column and think spring!!!
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LOWLIGHT –
I have come to the conclusion that Mother Nature doesn’t like spring sports. I saw a post from Wadena-Deer Creek Activities Director (Norman Gallant) on Monday (April 18). There aren’t a lot of make-up dates available for the spring sports. Plus you have to look at proms that are scheduled, graduation open houses are usually on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sundays in May.
This is what at least half the state still looks like. At WDC we have 19 baseball games, 20 softball, 11 track meets and 13 golf meets left. Not counting Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, there are 22 dates left for Softball, 23 Track, 24 Baseball, 29 Golf until playoffs.
PS-not looking good this week.
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HIGHLIGHT-
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Minneapolis has done such a great job hosting the NCAA Men’s and Women’s D-1 Basketball final four that the Big Ten has taken note and will be hosting the Big Ten Women’s basketball tourney the next two years and the Men’s tournament in 2024. (I also personally believe the Excel Energy Center should host the frozen four every other year (or all the time).
“We are thrilled to bring marquee conference events such as the Big Ten Football Championship Game and the Big Ten Basketball Tournaments to world-class cities and venues within the conference footprint,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren. “Indianapolis and Minneapolis each have a strong history and tradition of hosting some of the world’s premier events in cities that feature an exceptional base of Big Ten Conference alumni and fans. We look forward to creating new memories and experiences for our student-athletes, coaches, and member institutions, further expanding our fanbase, cultivating relationships with the business community, and fostering a positive and lasting impact on these cities.”
“We are proud to carry the tradition of Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball excellence to Minneapolis,” said Minnesota Sports and Events CEO Wendy Blackshaw. “After this year’s sold-out NCAA Women’s Final Four, hosting the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in 2023, and the Big Ten men’s and women’s tournaments in 2024 will continue to fuel Minnesota’s reputation as a true basketball state. With our terrific partners, especially Target Center and its state-of-the-art venue, we can’t wait to welcome more basketball fans to our great state.”
The 2023 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament will mark the first time that the event has been held outside of Indianapolis since 2015, when the tournament took place in Hoffman Estates, Ill., outside Chicago.
The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament has been held in four different cities over the past six seasons, including Washington, D.C. (2017), New York City (2018), Chicago (2019), and Indianapolis (2020-22). The 2024 tournament will mark the fifth different city to host the event since the inaugural tournament in 1998.
An overview of the future Big Ten Football Championship Game and Big Ten Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournament sites can be found below.
| Event | Host City | Venue | Date(s) |
| 2022 Big Ten Football Championship* | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | December 3, 2022 |
| 2023 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 1-5, 2023 |
| 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament* | Chicago | United Center | March 8-12, 2023 |
| 2023 Big Ten Football Championship Game | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | December 2, 2023 |
| 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 6-10, 2024 |
| 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament | Minneapolis | Target Center | March 13-17, 2024 |
| 2024 Big Ten Football Championship Game | Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | December 7, 2024 |
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We wrap up the Pirate Spring sports participant rosters with Girl’s Golf, baseball, and tennis.
Crookston Pirate Girls Golf (16 girls out)-
Juniors (3) – Grace Fischer, Hannah Brouse, Mackenzie Aamoth
Sophomores (3) – Brekken Tull, Morgan Nelson, Coral Brekken
Freshman (3) – Paige Abrahamson, Kaylie Clauson, Georgia Sanders
Eighth graders (7) – Madelyn Anderson, Emelia Hoerner, Ava Martin, Halle Nicholas, Taylor Schulz, Lucy Smith, Taylor Wieland
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Crookston Pirate Baseball (34 boys out)
Seniors (5) – Justin Lingren, Austin Trinkle, Ashton Larson, Cade DeLeon, Brooks Butt, Gunnar Gunderson
Juniors (6) – Ethan Boll, Jack Doda, George Widman V, Braxton Volker, Alex Longoria, Cayden Ames
Sophomores (4) – Blake Melsa, Lucas Miller, Evan Trudeau, Spencer Ness
Freshman (4) – Parker Kelly, Matthew Contreras, Connor Hanson, Teagan Lubinski
Eighth graders (12) – Greyson Ecker, Jay Reese, Lucas Perala, Carter Fee, Brady Chandler, Dexter Janek, Gavyn Hlucny, Tony Elbinger, Isaiah Donarski, Jose Arriaga, Nolan Cassavant, Tarek Siegle
Seventh graders (3) – Austin Lund, Hudson Rick, Ethan Lanctot
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Pirate Boys Tennis (27 boys out) –
Seniors (7) – Joey Brule, Evan Christensen, Austin Crawford, Erik Coauette, George French, Jack Garmen, Mason Owens
Juniors (6) – Jack Anderson, Kaleb Armstrong, Eliot Bartrum, Nathan Kelly, Xander Kuchan, Tatum Lubinski
Sophomores (2) – Jackson Reese, Isaac Thomforde
Freshman (3) – Tim Brule, Jack Everett, Cody Heinle
Eighth graders (3) – Gunnar Groven, Sam Widseth, Reggie Winjum
Seventh graders (6) – Eon Deleon, Grant Funk, Jack Nobles, Colton Osborn, Evan Pruneda, Alex Zammert
Managers (3) – Macy Fee, Lily Groven, Emma Osborn
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The Minnesota Hockey High-Performance teams have been announced. We have the District 16 teams listed below –
14U District 16 Boys team –
Bemidji – Aiden Graber, Griffin Dewar, Cole Johnson, Cal Mattfield, Quinn Niemi
Crookston – Tate Hamre
East Grand Forks – Max Bies, Bodey Schmaltz, Micha Ellis, Mason Frize, Paul Greiner, Jace Panzer, Gavin Rude
Roseau – Tyler George
Thief River Falls – Keegan Lund
Warroad – Samuel Hard, Ryan Lee, Wesley Schreiner, Finn Hanson, Levi Westby
15U District 16 Boys
The top 30 boys in each district will have the final tryout this weekend to try to make the top 20.
HP 16’s – Boys Section 8A and 8AA (Coached by Jay Hardwick, Tim Bergland, and Jerremiah Johnson)
Bemidji – Noah Mannausau
Brainerd – Ryan Gerlich
East Grand Forks – Cole Bies, Cooper Hills, Hunter Varnson, Jace Van Eps, Landon Jamieson
Elk River – Braden Hansberger
Moorhead – Dalton Songstad, Brooks Cullen, Carson Kuntz
St. Michael-Albertville – Jackson Smithknecht
Thief River Falls – Jace Erickson, Braydin Lund, Max Arlt, Conner Rolf
Warroad – Ryan Lund, Carson Pilgrim, Peyton Sunderland, Taven James
HP 17’s Boys – Section 8A/8AA (Coached by Jay Hardwick, Tony Kunka, Josh Hardy)
Bemidji – Cael Knutson
Brainerd – John Finnegan
Buffalo – Varner Maxwell
East Grand Forks – Brock Schultz, Jace Fore
Moorhead – Joe Gramer, Aaron Reierson, Parker Gast
Roseau – Noah Urness, Gavin Jensen, Tanner George
Sartell – Carter Bollinger, Jack Schmitz
St. Michael-Albertville – Brady Johnson, Caleb Waller
Thief River Falls – Tucker Howe
Warroad – Erick Comstock, Will Hardwick, Murray Marvin-Cordes, Hampton Slukynsky
HP 18’s Boys – Section 7 and 8 A/AA – (Coached by Steve Wasko, Andy Sertich, Bill Moore)
Andover – Gavyn Thoreson
Anoka – Hayden Ceaser
Bemidji – Wyatt Mattfield
Blaine – Bryce Laager
Brainerd – Max Roby
Buffalo – Griffin Valli
Crookston – Jaren Bailey
Duluth Denfeld – Andy Larson
Duluth East – Grant Winnkler, Cole Christian
Hermantown – George Peterson, Wyatt Carlson
Moorhead – Joe Schiller, Harper Bentz, Ian Ness
Roseau – Aaron Wensloff
Sartell – Tory Lund
St. Michael-Albertville – Tyler Hanson, Tyler Jordan
HP Seniors Boys – Section 7/8 (Coached by Ben Noah, Chad Baldwin, Steve Wasko)
Andover – Logan Gravink
Bemidji – Josef Lalli
Blaine – Ryan Wallin
Duluth Denfeld – Connor McClure, Cooper McClure
Elk River – Jackson Skyberg, Andrew Foss, Blake Johnson, Blaise Schutt
Forest Lake – Gavin Middendorf
Grand Rapids – Garett Drotts, Kaden Nelson
Greenway – Bodie Jorgenson
Moorhead – Carson Triggs
Red Lake Falls – Ty Kennet
Rock Ridge (Virginia/Evelth) – Nick Troutwine
St. Michael/Albertville – Alec Waller
Thief River Falls – Brett Holmer, Brendan Bottem
Warroad – Carson Reed
14U Girls – District 16
Bemidji – Mali McLean, Millie Knott, Bailey Rupp
East Grand Forks – Madilyn Jamieson
Roseau – Alyssa Hedlund, Madelyn Magnusson
Warroad – Vivienne Marcowka, Katherine Brekke
The rest of the team is from the Twin Cities metro area
15U Girls – District 16
The top 30 girls in each district will have the final tryout this weekend to try to make the top 20.
HP 16’s Girls – Section 8A/8AA team – Coached by Rob Aitken, Emily Lunak, and Emily Meyer.
Alexandria – Emma Ramstorf, Morgan Aure (former Crookston kid)
Bemidji – Ellie Solheim
Brainerd/Little Falls – Molly Pohlkamp, Peyton LeMieur, Ericah Folden (former Crookston kid)
Crookston – Morgan Nelson, Reese Swanson, Brekken Tull
East Grand Forks – Maggey Plante
Moorhead – Jolee Score, Kellsey Kludt, Kate Kosobud, Taylor Brueske, Olivia Kortan, Madison Hanson, Ella Holm
Sartel-Sauk Rapids – Morgan Dorn
St. Cloud – Kylie Smith, Lauren Juncewski
HP 17/18’s Girls – Section 8A/AA (Coached by Rob Aitken, Maddie Haroldson, Kora Torkelson)
Alexandria – Lauren Maras
Bagley/Fosston – Kassandra Fontaine
Bemidji – Isabella Webb
Brainerd/Little Falls – Lucy Peterson, Macy Peterson, Breya Sawyer
Buffalo – Anna Kubu, Raegen Wurm
Moorhead – Oliva Dronen, Julia Gamer, Bria Holm, Annie Krieg, Elleana Lebahn
Sartell/Sauk Rapids – Anna Lundeen
St. Cloud – Ava Schmidt
Warroad – Cahlilah Lindquist, Mikayla Curtis, Talya Hendrickson, Lila Lanctot (former Crookston kid), Kate Johnson
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East Grand Forks’ Tanner Campos has signed to play Basketball with Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.
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University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Men’s Basketball Coach Ben Johnson (pride of Minneapolis DeLa Salle high school and Gopher BBall alum) is having himself an awesome first recruiting class.
Dawson Garcia (transfer from North Carolina – Prior Lake grad averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds per game)
Braeden Carrington (Brooklyn Park grad – 3-star recruit picking U of M over Florida, Missouri, Seton Hall, Xavier)
Ta’Lon Cooper (True point guard transfer from Moorehead State averaged 10 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game)
Jaden Henley (from Ontario, California. Will be a freshman)
Josh Ola-Joseph (from Osseo High School – another 3-star recruit)
Pharell Payne (from Park High School in Cottage Grove – another 3-star recruit. 6’9 power forward)
It sounds like he is going to get another player or two and it will be interesting to see the team next year. It is exciting and hopefully, he can lockdown some top Minnesota talent.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team announced the signing of Blaize Sagna (G, 6-3 190, London, England/Howard College (Texas), and Chandler Meeks (G, 6-1 185, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Westside H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent.
Blaize Sagna (G, 6-3 190, London, England/Howard College (Texas)
Sagna recorded 11 points, 3rebounds, and 2assists per game as a sophomore at Howard College. He shot 38.9 percent from the field. His father is a professional kickboxer.
Chandler Meeks (G, 6-1 185, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Westside H.S.)
Meeks played as a prep at Omaha Westside H.S. As a senior, he averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. As a junior, Meeks had 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Meeks was named to the All-State honorable mention, and All-Metro Second Team as a senior for Omaha Westside H.S.
He is the son of Al Meeks, Jr. and Cherise Meeks. Meeks plans to major in business. He has been involved in DECA, and is a member of the honor roll. His brother Trae Meeks played at Avila University.
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Former University of Minnesota Crookston and Crookston Reds Baseball player Will Zimmerman has re-signed with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the American Association. Zimmerman had a solid professional baseball debut last year with the RedHawks where he played in 45 games. He hit .243 with 33 hits in 45 at-bats. He hit five doubles, three home runs, and knocked in 21 runs while scoring 29 runs. Zimmerman will play the outfield for the RedHawks.
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I wonder how long it will be before the NSIC has a Men’s Hockey conference???? Augustana, Minnesota Duluth, Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota State Mankato all have D-1 teams. If they have a conference, would other NSIC teams look at adding D-1 Hockey? I could see Mary looking to add D-1 hockey as they already have an extremely good club hockey program. I really don’t see anybody else. Possibly MSU-Moorhead as they have some money and would do well with corporate sponsors in Fargo/Moorhead. Or make a NSIC/GLIAC Men’s Hockey conference which would add Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, and Northern Michigan. With the current NSIC teams and the GLIAC teams (all NCAA Division II schools except for hockey), it would be nine teams in the conference. Maybe add one more school-like Mary or Moorhead and you have a conference of all D2 schools (close travel proximity) and it could work!
The Augustana University Men’s Hockey Program has its first-ever head coach. Garrett Raboin, assistant coach for the University of Minnesota of the Big Ten Conference, has been selected to be the inaugural head coach of the Viking Hockey program — set to take the ice in the 2023-24 academic year.
“This is a great day for Augustana University and an incredibly important step in the launch of Viking Hockey,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. “Garrett Raboin brings a passion for the game and genuine enthusiasm for the broader vision that will be energizing for all of us as we build toward our first year of competition in 2023. We are thrilled to welcome Garrett, Emily, and their children to Augustana and the Sioux Falls community.”
“We started this process looking for someone who can build a nationally competitive men’s hockey program that competes at Division I and we sure found him,” Josh Morton Augustana Director of Athletics said. “Garrett is a proven winner, excellent recruiter, and will help us build community excitement for Augustana hockey. He is a great addition and will add to the excellence of Augustana athletics.
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The University of Mary is two weeks away from needing a new athletic director. Dale Lennon (former UND Football Coach) is leaving his post with the Marauders at the end of the month to become the executive director of the State Historical Society Foundation of North Dakota.
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Make plans now to attend the 27th annual “Lace ‘em Up” basketball camp to be held in Red Lake Falls high school at the Robert Matzke Gym from June 6-10, 2022.
The camp is open to any boys or girls who are currently in grades K-11. The camp is set up to run from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 for grades 6-11 each morning, and from 12:00 noon until 3:30 p.m. for grades K-6. The cost of the camp is $70 with a maximum cost per family of $100. If you register before May 22nd, you will also receive a camp T-shirt. After May 22, ALL SINGLE REGISTRATION FEES WILL BE $80 AND THE MAXIMUM COST PER FAMILY WILL BE $120, DUE TO CAMP PREPARATION AND AWARD ORDERS.
NOTE: by request, sixth graders may come in the morning, afternoon, or both for one price.
Cut on the dotted line and return the following to:
Steve Philion
518 Champagne Ave.
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
Cell: 218-686-3608
Home: 218-253-2499
E-mail: sphilion@rlfedu.org
Make checks payable to: Steve Philion
If anyone needs help with the cost of the camp, let Mr. Philion know as we have people who have offered to cover costs for kids that need financial help.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name____________________________________
Grade in 2021-2022________________(GRADE JUST COMPLETED)
I was a sixth grader this year and would like to come: (circle one)
MORNING AFTERNOON BOTH
T-shirt sizes: Please circle one:
Youth sizes: EXTRA SMALL SMALL MEDIUM LARGE
Adult sizes: SMALL MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE XX-LARGE
Address:__________________________________________________________
MALE____________ FEMALE____________
I, the parent of the above student agree to allow my child to participate in the 2022 “Lace ‘em Up” basketball camp in Red Lake Falls. I also understand that the camp director, the City of RLF, and the RLF school district are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, or COVID that my child might incur.
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN:_______________________________________
Emergency cell number of parent or guardian:___________________________________
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JOKES
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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Katherine Geist, a sophomore, is running track for Carleton College.
Emma Boll, a freshman, is playing softball at Northwestern University in St. Paul.
Emma Borowicz is a freshman running track at Minnesota State Mankato.
Ben Trostad is a senior playing Men’s Golf at UMC.
Kaleb Thingelstad is a freshman playing golf at Kansas Wesleyan University. KWU is done for the fall season.
Joslynn Leach is a freshman playing golf at Concordia College in Moorhead. The Cobbers wrapped up the Fall season.
Brady Butt is a sophomore playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, is a junior playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Ty Hamre is playing football at Bemidji State University.
Paul Bittner is playing professional hockey in Germany, for Düsseldorf EG.
Gretchen Theis is a sophomore at NDSU on the Equestrian team.
Kate MacGregor is a senior swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Nick Garmen is a junior playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is the Pirate head girls hockey coach and softball assistant coach.
Lacia Hanson is the Junior High softball coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Brock Hanson is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Ben Halos is a Pirate Baseball assistant coach.
Alex LaFrance is a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Ben Andringa is serving our country with the Army in New York.
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.
